I paused in my stance, on the verge of lunging, and focused my nerves on the wizard for a moment. Even in that brief instant, however, doubts crept into my mind: Was this truly worth it?
What if the wizard cast a spell at me? What if, during our conversation, an assassin or archer with silenced movements targeted me? What if… what if… what if…
Despite imagining countless scenarios, I couldn’t bring myself to act, all because of the creature before me who spoke in perfectly comprehensible words.
My mother had passed away before she could teach me everything, and the receptionist only taught me words at a basic level, so I’d never experienced proper communication.
But this one was different.
“I get it. You seem intelligent enough. So… can we talk for just a moment?”
It was definitely strange. But I also wondered uneasily if this ability was being used to buy time while they surrounded me.
After all, I’d fallen for tricks like this before—being distracted and then fooled around with.
Besides, there was no guarantee that this thing could even understand me.
…No, this doesn’t feel right. Adjusting my stance, I gripped my greatsword tightly and charged at the wizard.
The wizard reacted in time once again, encircling themselves with a magical barrier. The thickness and strength were on an entirely different level compared to the mediocre ones I’d faced before.
Normally, I would have shattered the barrier and cleaved it in half, but my sword stopped mid-air, grinding to a halt as if meeting an immovable force.
“Hey, hey! This bitch is seriously trying to kill you, idiot! This isn’t some joke or act; she won’t last long! Let’s run!”
“Don’t exaggerate. She can withstand at least two more hits. Please, let’s try talking once more!”
The creature persistently pleaded with me to converse. Its persistence annoyed me, so I circulated mana through my body and tightened my grip on my sword.
It seemed to be working slightly; the sword was slowly, almost imperceptibly, penetrating the barrier.
“…How am I supposed to trust you?”
Humans cannot be trusted. They shouldn’t be trusted. Since it wasn’t resisting, I channeled mana into my weapon to increase its destructive power.
“Akashi. Just pull her back for a bit. Not too far, just enough.”
When the hero gave the order to the wizard, Akashi muttered something under his breath before I suddenly felt a shockwave pushing me back.
Caught off guard while circulating mana, I lost control and tumbled awkwardly, feeling my insides churn. Did I underestimate them by attacking so recklessly? After all, these are the kinds of people who can effortlessly block stone spears. This much resistance was expected.
“…Akashi! I said just pull her back!”
“Idiot, I really did it gently! No wounds, so why are you complaining?! Seriously, why do I have to get dragged into your stupid suicide attempts?!”
…Indeed, humans can’t be trusted. Reaffirming that thought, I infused my sword with mana. It might not be as effective as channeling mana in real-time, but at least I wouldn’t feel my stomach flip when counterattacked.
“…Sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I apologize.”
“Shut up. Humans are untrustworthy.”
Taking another leap, I threw a few rock fragments as a feint. Without using any mana, they were easily blocked.
“…Alright. Here’s what I’ll do. Akashi, close the book and put it down.”
“Haha, you’ve finally gone mad. I’m leaving. If you’re going to die, do it alone. Don’t drag me into it.”
…What exactly did he just say? The reason they’ve survived until now is entirely thanks to that guy, Akashi, specifically his grimoire. And yet, he’s saying he won’t use it? What’s his plan?
“Where do you think you’re going? That’s an order.”
“…Damn. Didn’t expect to go out like this.”
Whatever nonsense he’s planning, if he disables his own barrier, it’s good news for me.
Infusing a small amount of mana into my legs, I pushed off the ground forcefully and leaped toward them.
Even as I approached, the figure maintained a resolute gaze, staring straight at me.
“…Damn!”
Seeing that expression, I couldn’t bring myself to cut him down. Instead, I tackled him and pinned him down.
Though the figure groaned in pain as his back scraped against the ground, I didn’t care about that.
I squeezed his thighs with my thighs to prevent movement, pressed down on his abdomen with my tail to ensure complete suppression, and placed my greatsword diagonally against his neck.
With one hand, I drove the tip of the blade into the ground, creating a makeshift lever that allowed me to sever his head at any moment.
“Exactly… what do you want?”
There must be something you desperately need from me. Why else would you go through all this trouble? Is it my money? Treasure? Horns? Or perhaps organs like my heart or body parts? Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter much to me.
If it displeases me, I’ll simply sever it cleanly.
“The reason… well, nothing big. I was wondering if you’d consider becoming my ally.”
“…What?”
What this creature wanted wasn’t my horns, heart, money, or shiny treasures—it wanted me, plain and simple.
“…Was that too sudden? Sorry if it startled you. Still, I’m in dire need of allies, so I came here hoping against hope. If it’s impossible…”
“Get lost.”
It was just that. What they desired, what they longed for, was my power—the cursed strength inherited from my father.
Since killing an unarmed and surrendered opponent didn’t sit well with me, I released my hold and returned my greatsword to the ground.
“Get lost. Disappear.”
“Just a moment! If there was anything that upset you, I apologize! Can we try again…?”
Once more raising my greatsword from the ground, I floated it menacingly in front of his neck.
“While you still can. Get lost.”
“Ahahaha, looks like it’s a total failure. And you made him angry too. Completely ruined, huh? What will you do now, our interpreter-hero? Your sole forte, conversation, has failed!”
Annoyed by the wizard’s incessant chatter beside me, I lightly hit him on the head with a pebble before pressing my sword further to intimidate him.
Realizing he couldn’t endure it any longer, the black-haired figure grabbed his grimoire and told the white-haired one it was time to leave.
“…I’ll come again tomorrow. See you.”
“If you do, I’ll kill you.”
Wiping the persistent smile from his face, I turned back toward my dwelling. It was a waste of energy.
Because I acted recklessly at a time when I should have rested, my head throbbed slightly. Eating something delicious might help alleviate it.
…That blue potion is for when I’m utterly exhausted. Let’s exclude that.
—
“…Sir Hero! You’re alive! When Miss Yuna carried Pin, covered in blood, and said you went to face that monstrous thing, I thought you were dead for sure, but apparently, you’re different!”
The receptionist greeted us with surprise upon seeing us return. Akashi unleashed his usual torrent of insults, but the receptionist ignored him, likely having been tipped off by Yuna. An irritated Akashi tried to argue, but she continued treating him as though he were invisible.
“Miss Yuna is staying in Room 2. She reserved the Tree Room and the Sun Room, staying in the Tree Room herself, so Sir Hero… Hmm. Yes. This gentleman can stay in the Sun Room. Ah, unless… are you two sharing a room? Hehe.”
Unfortunately for the receptionist making playful jokes, that will never happen between us.
“That Orc pretending to be an Elf? Haha! I’d rather bed a Dwarf prostitute! Or a Succubus. Anything’s better than her.”
After giving the bump on his head another light tap for his slip of tongue, I headed upstairs. Despite muttering painfully and arguing, Akashi eventually followed without resistance.
Checking the names written on the plaques, I knocked on the door marked “Tree.” Soon after, Yuna opened the door.
“Who is i… Oh. You’re alive. Thank goodness. I won’t need to find another employer then.”
“Yeah. Are Pin and Jake alright?”
Their condition when I last saw them looked beyond recovery. However, Yuna fluently explained how they were treated.
Including details I didn’t particularly want to hear. In short, they were as healthy as ever, crying and all.
“…Good. As long as they’re safe. Akashi mentioned he wanted to talk separately. Alright, here.”
“Hey! Wait a minute! Where are you going? Do you want to see me die? Am I really dying? Being murdered? Hey, where are you heading? Where are you going?”
“I heard everything, Akashi. How dare you insult me by comparing me to a Dwarf prostitute? Calling me an Orc? Well, let me show you what that means…”
Though he talks big, I know it’ll end before things escalate too far. Leaving them behind, I returned to the receptionist.
“…Oh. Aren’t you resting? Is there something else you need…?”
Well, it could be considered business, but if we’re being precise, it’s more of a personal question. Specifically, information about that girl. Perhaps there’s something useful for recruiting her as an ally.
“Can you tell me everything you know about the Half-Dragon girl who visited earlier today?”
“You mean the monstrous thing… Yes. According to records, she was first discovered five years ago.”
Five years ago, a villager found her loitering near a house and called the guards and adventurers to deal with her, leading to a battle.
As a result, half the village was destroyed. Many were injured, and even the Adventurers’ Guild building collapsed, injuring numerous adventurers and causing inconvenience.
“…Unfortunately, my predecessor also perished in that incident. Thankfully, thanks to the surrounding cities and kindhearted adventurers, we managed to rebuild the village successfully. But even when I arrived, the town still lacked vitality.”
Expeditions were organized multiple times to hunt her down, but they were wiped out by mysterious landslides or disappeared altogether. Speaking about it sent shivers down the receptionist’s spine.
“…Surely, their bodies were obliterated. The villagers lived in fear. She raided the village almost every month, stealing goods. Though she didn’t cause destruction like before, it was enough to wear down the villagers. Watching it all was exhausting for me too. Then, a small miracle happened. The monster that brought destruction started attempting barter.”
Apparently, she would throw down monster skins, valuable internal organs, or magic stones and raid as usual. However, the village began to prosper quickly as they received items worth more than what was stolen each month.
“Occasionally, people still form hunting parties to try and slay her, but they all meet the same fate. Although the village developed thanks to her, I still feel uneasy. We don’t know when she might start raiding or causing destruction again.”
“…I see. You must have worked hard all this time.”
“No, not at all. Compared to the efforts of the adventurers and guards, this is nothing. At least I had the leisure to teach her a few words.”
That clumsy vocabulary comes from the receptionist. I think I understand the story now, including what she’s been through.
And how to approach her if I want to recruit her.
